President Trump on Sunday gave Iran 48 hours to fully open the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the United States would strike Iranian power plants if the country fails to comply.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran must open the strategic waterway “WITHOUT THREAT” within the deadline. If not, he wrote, the U.S. will “hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!”
The ultimatum comes as Iran has been steadily asserting control over the strait, a narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil flows.
The annual cargo value passing through the chokepoint is estimated at $8 trillion.
In recent weeks, Iranian officials have stated that the strait is now open only to nations that maintain non-hostile relations with Iran, while others must negotiate terms for passage.
Japan, for example, recently agreed to settle payments in yuan and accepted Iranian naval escort for its tankers. Iranian officials say 40 countries are currently in discussions to establish similar transit frameworks.
The shift marks a departure from decades of U.S. naval dominance in the region, with some ships now hugging Iran’s coastline for protection.
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